Guide to Study MBBS in USA
MBBS in USA makes international students eligible for practicing medicine in India without requiring them to write the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE).
MBBS stands for ‘Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae’, which stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in Latin. An MBBS in USA is pursued as a postgraduate degree, unlike in India, where it is pursued as an undergraduate degree. An MBBS in the USA is pursued as an MD, usually for four years.
To study an MBBS in the USA, international students need to complete a pre-medical course in a BS degree from an American university. Additionally, students have to complete 3 to 5 years of residency, practising as a doctor, post completion of the MD. In total, the duration of pursuing an MBBS in the USA will amount to between 7 and 9 years.
Some features of pursuing an MBBS in the USA are as follows:
- International students need to have relevant MCAT scores for applying to an MBBS program at a university in the USA.
- The average tuition fees of an MBBS in the USA amounts to between USD 19,000 and USD 65,000.
- According to a report by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average salary of an MD in the USA is USD 208,000 per annum.
Table of Contents
- Why Study MBBS in USA?
- Top Colleges for MBBS in USA
- Course Structure of MBBS in USA
- Tuition Fees for MBBS in USA
- Admissions Process for MBBS in USA
- Scholarships for MBBS in USA
- Job Prospects and Salary of an MBBS in USA
Top Colleges for MBBS in USA
As mentioned above, the USA is home to some of the best institutions for medical sciences in the world. The names of the top 10 colleges in the USA for MBBS, along with their cost of tuition and QS World Ranking, are detailed in the table below:
| University | QS World Rank | Course Duration |
| Harvard University | 1 | 5 years |
| Stanford University | 4 | 6 years |
| John Hopkins University | 5 | 4 years |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 7 | 4 years |
| Yale University | 9 | 4 years |
| University of California, San Francisco | 10 | 4 years |
| Columbia University | 13 | 4 years |
| University of Pennsylvania | 15 | 4 years |
| Duke University | 16 | 4 years |
| University of California, San Diego | 23 | 4 years |
Why Study MBBS in USA?
An MBBS degree or MD from the USA is a prestigious degree that is recognized the world over. Doctors in India with an MBBS from the USA need not write the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice in India. In addition, an MBBS from the USA is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The USA has some of the best institutions for medical studies in the world. The universities in the USA have some of the most comprehensive specializations in the world for MBBS degrees.
Course Structure of MBBS in USA
An MBBS in the USA is known as a Doctor of Medicine or an MD degree. Since a medical degree is considered an advanced course, students need to have a primary degree in science or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, or Chemistry, or any field related to medicine. This is known as a pre-medical or a pre-med course required to do the actual MD degree.
The MBBS course structure in the USA is divided into three parts:
Pre-Medical
This course is for four years for US nationals since they apply for a pre-med soon after completing class 10. However, for international students, particularly Indian students, the pre-med course is only for four trimesters or 16 months.
Suppose an international student has completed their undergraduate degree in a field related to medicine or has completed two years of MBBS studies. In that case, they may be exempted from enrolling for a pre-medical course before an MD. However, this decision will lie in the hands of the concerned university.
A pre-medical course will have the following subjects:
- English
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Sociology
MD
Upon completing the pre-medical course, international students will be eligible for an MBBS in the USA, known as an MD in America. The Doctor of Medicine degree or MD has two stages, with each stage being for two years.
Theoretical Stage
In this stage, students will be exposed to an advanced level of theoretical knowledge in medical sciences. The following subjects will be taught in this stage:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Histology
- Medical Ethics
- Biochemistry
- Neuroanatomy
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Clinical Science
Practical Stage
Students have to write the United States Medical Licensing Examination or USMLE 1 to qualify for the practical stage in the MD course. This stage is also known as ‘Clinical Rotation’ or ‘Externship/Clerkship’, where students will understand how to operate in the hospital.
Students will be taught how to treat patients by doctors and professors. At the end of this stage, students will have to write the USMLE 2, determining their eligibility for the Residency Program.
Residency Program
Students who clear USMLE 2 will be eligible for the Residency program, which will be for a duration of 3 to 5 years depending on the specialization opted for by the student. This stage will see students working at hospitals to become experts in their respective fields. At the end of this program, students will have to write USMLE 3, also known as the ‘Licensee Examination’.
Upon clearing the exam, students will be able to practice as a doctor in the USA or any country that recognizes the education system in the USA.
Tuition Fees for MBBS in USA
Education in the USA is not cheap since it is the premier destination for international students, especially in engineering, applied sciences and medicine. However, education in the USA comes with a certain level of prestige as the quality of education is some of the best in the world. Therefore, with the right planning and budgeting and seeking the right guidance, students can fulfil their dream of studying medicine in America.
The USA is home to some of the best universities for medical studies in the world. Doctors from the USA are renowned worldwide, as they gain exposure to the latest trends in the medical world through their studies in America.
The following are the best universities in the USA, along with their annual MD (MBBS) program fees:
| University | Average Tuition Fees (USD) | Average Tuition Fees (INR) |
| Harvard University | 325,000 | 2.42 crores |
| Stanford University | 482,000 | 3.59 crores |
| John Hopkins University | 214,000 | 1.59 crore |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 105,300 | 78.54 lakhs |
| Yale University | 252,000 | 1.87 crore |
| University of California, San Francisco | 187,100 | 1.39 crore |
| Columbia University | 73,800 | 55.04 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 240,000 | 1.79 crore |
| Duke University | 248,000 | 1.84 crore |
| University of California, San Diego | 165,500 | 1.23 crore |
Cost of Living in USA
Students usually have to spend separately for accommodation and living expenses while studying MBBS in the USA, and separate budgets will have to be made beforehand. Students can opt for on-campus or off-campus housing, though the latter will work out to be much cheaper. On average, students spend between USD 6,000 and USD 15,000 a year on accommodation, depending on the type of housing they choose.
As for living expenses, students will have to make monthly budgets for the same. The table below shows the living expenses associated with studying an MBBS in the USA:
| Particulars | Expenses (in USD) |
| Study material and stationary | 500 - 1,000 |
| Travel expenses | 500 - 1,200 |
| Food and beverages | 2,500 |
| Clothing expenses | 500 |
| Miscellaneous expenditure | 500 |
Admissions Process for MBBS in USA
International students must have completed a pre-medical course and show MCAT scores to apply for an MBBS in the USA or an MD. Students can apply for the fall and spring semesters of their preferred universities.
If students are confused about where to begin their applications, they can apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). In addition, some universities accept applications directed via the website of AMCAS.
Eligibility for MBBS at USA Universities
Students should fulfil the following eligibility criteria to qualify for an MBA in the USA:
- Class 10 & 12 mark sheets
- An undergraduate degree in Biology, Chemistry or any field related to medicine (Pre-med)
- Relevant MCAT or NEET scores
- Proof of English language proficiency
Documents Required for MBA at USA Universities Admission
International students must submit the following documents for admissions into the MBA programs at universities in the USA:
- Original transcripts from previous institutions
- English translations of non-English documents
- Foreign transcripts evaluated by an accredited agency
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- A 1-page CV
- Police clearance certificate
English Proficiency Requirement for International Students
International students need to have some proficiency in the English language since all the courses at US universities are conducted in the English medium. Students can show either one of the following as proof of English language proficiency:
Scholarships for MBBS in USA
Though the fees at American universities are exorbitantly high, students can always seek financial aid in scholarships and grants. However, students should keep in mind that the competition for these scholarships is extremely high and are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The table below contains the list of medical scholarships available to international students along with their features:
| Scholarship | Awarded by | Features |
| Harvard Medical School Scholarship | Harvard University | Full tuition fee waiver |
| Stanford Institutional Aid | Stanford University | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| Financial Aid for Non-US Medical Students | John Hopkins University | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| Vagelos Scholarship | Columbia University | Tuition fees + cost of living |
| AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship | AHIMA Foundation | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| AMTIE Student Scholarship | American Medical Technologists (AMT) | Financial aid up to USD 5,000 |
| ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence | Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions and CastleBranch | Financial aid of USD 1,000 |
Job Prospects and Salary of an MBBS in USA
After graduating, students can start working at government or private medical institutions. The average salary of an MD (MBBS in the USA) is USD 208,000, which significantly higher than the national per-capita average of USD 38,640. The job prospects and relevant salaries have been detailed in the table below:
| Job Prospects | Annual Salary |
| Physicians and Surgeons | USD 208,000 |
| Health Diagnostics and Treatment Practitioners | USD 80,9 |
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